A bronze figure stands tall on a plinth. It’s a familiar sight to many Aarhus residents and visitors, but do you ever stop to wonder who this man is? The man you see before you is none other than Enrico Mylius Dalgas, a Danish officer, road engineer, and visionary. He was born in Napoli, Italy, in 1828 but made a name for himself in Denmark as a pioneer in reclaiming the vast heaths of Jutland. He is often considered a giant in the field of heaths cultivation, and his story is truly fascinating. He was one of the founding fathers of the Danish Heathland Society in 1866, which was created to reclaim those vast areas of barren heath that covered much of Jutland, transforming them into fertile farmland. Dalgas was the first director of the society and dedicated his life to this ambitious project. He even wrote numerous books and articles on the subject, sharing his knowledge and expertise.
He played a leading role in planting trees across the heaths. To encourage people to take part in the planting project, he distributed seedlings free of charge. The phrase ‘What is lost outwards must be won inwards’ is often associated with him and embodies his philosophy. However, the phrase was not originally his. It was actually coined by the poet H.P. Holst. During his career, Dalgas was awarded many distinctions, including the Order of the Dannebrog and the Fortjenstmedaljen in gold. He passed away in Aarhus on April 16, 1894. His legacy is well-preserved. The statue erected in his honor is a testament to his dedication and vision.
Dalgas’s work is recognized as a pivotal moment in Denmark’s history, turning barren heaths into fertile lands and contributing to the country’s agricultural success. It is no wonder his name is seen on many places, including the Dalgas Avenue in Aarhus.